Repeating mistakes

Why do we repeat mistakes?

An article in yesterday's newspaper described some research looking in to why people tend to make mistakes, especially under pressure, that they are consciously trying to avoid. It happens all the time in orienteering. You tell yourself to take it slow and easy to the first control, then you grab the map and rush off. You tell yourself not to let seeing other runners distract you, then you see another runner and it distracts you. Or you remind yourself to not rush through the attack point but actually slow down, double check the map, and approach the control cautiously. Then you rush through the attack point and boom the control.

The article refers to work by Daniel Wegner, a psychologist at Harvard. Read the abstract of a recent paper here.

Oh, I thought this was about Kansas City Royals management and various recent trades. Enjoy your new SS, sounds like a real winner. Why would you give up 2 pitching prospects for a below average player who you only need for half a year?